Respect, Equality Freedom of Information.

By Peter Clifton

cardiganuk1@joseter,co.uk

Respect, a word with many meanings: from giving up your seat to admiration for one’s talents. Showing regard to others for their abilities and worth • valuing their feelings and their views, • accepting others on an equal basis and giving everyone the same consideration. Respect begins with oneself.

William Roache who plays the part of Ken Barlow in Cornation Street is 90 years old and has appeared in the show since its very first broadcast on 9th December 1960. The fans still love him as do the T.V production team. That is respect for both talent and age.

At 80, Barry Manilow’s career is going from strength to strength for he has got 70 concerts booked for 2024 across two countries.

The Rolling Stones, an over 80s rock group, announcing their U.S tour, showed respect by offering their AARP (formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons) membership the chance to buy up to eight tickets each before they go on general sale. Sir Tom Jones aged 83, with fifty tour dates booked for 2024 ,is most certainly respected by audiences along with his fellow judges and audience in the T.V talent show I Want You, and respect is portrayed in their faces every time he sings or talks. The outlaw country legend Willie Nelson turned 90 in April, did he spend the day partying with friends and family at his ranch in Spicewood, Texas ?, No because like his famous song “On the road again” he was on tour.

Respect in business to one’s clients is essential for success, one must acknowledge one’s mistakes and address them quickly. Prompt response and action tells one’s client that you value their opinion and leaves them feeling wanted and respected.

What would be the general public reaction if William Roache, Barry Manilow, Mick Jagger or Tom Jones and Willie Nelson showed and judged dogs and it became known in the big outside world that the Royal Kennel Club would not appoint them to judge at Crufts because of age?

The Royal Kennel Club, maybe because it is under the absolute rule of a very small group holding all powers, certainly does not have respect in it’s marketing strategy. While it pretends to have interest in a youth policy it still continues to ignore the wishes and dreams of the older generation by operating on ageism policy solely aimed at the group over 80. Since writing my last article in Our Dogs on The Royal Kennel Club and ageism I have asked for the Crufts committee and Board to reconsider their refusal to invite judges over 80 to preside at Crufts. I also offered help, if needed, in finding a simple solution that would satisfy all. Sadly this fell on deaf ears, maybe they hoped by ignoring me I would go away, for I heard not a thing.

Having never walked away from what I consider an injustice, I took the matter to my M.P The Rt Hon Sir John Hayes. In his reply he wrote ‘‘I do appreciate the concerns that you have raised in your email with regard to ageism and I was disappointed to learn that the Royal Kennel Club do not appoint judges for Crufts after the age of 80. I have therefore written to the Equalities Minister enclosing your correspondence, to request her comments on this matter.’’

The Rt Hon Stuart Andrew M.P Minister for Equalities wrote “Thank you for your email to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy on behalf of your constituents’ experience in judging with the Royal Kennel Club. Your correspondence has been passed to the Cabinet Office for response and I am replying as the Minister for Equalities.

I must first explain that the Government cannot comment on individual cases but I can provide your constituent with more general advice.

The Equality Act 2010 protects people from age discrimination in employment and in the provision of services but not “volunteers”. The key difference in distinguishing someone performing a role on a voluntary basis or as an employee is whether they are receiving remuneration for their services as opposed to merely expenses. This point has been tested and confirmed in the High Court. The main reason for this is that we want to avoid a “chilling effect” in the wider voluntary sector, ie more red tape might deter some people from operating in that sector. While dog judging may not fall into that particular risk category, we have to make an overall assessment of the impact of bringing the Act into voluntary activity.

I hope this information is helpful, Please thank your constituent for writing on this important matter.”

So Crufts unlike other championship shows, by not offering a judging fee, solely hotel commendation and expenses, have found a loophole and walk the fine line of operating within the law.

So how do the R.K.C know judges ages? “apparently by the “C.C application form JD13, Nominee’s details and declaration box, date of birth.”. This is another grey area they walk the fine line on, for it is technically now an illegal question and could be argued that the R.K.C decision was based upon age. “Over eighteen” should be every applicants answer to this question. Could it be that all over 80s names have been removed from the judging lists that go before the Crufts Committee?

Some may say that is smart, others disgraceful that the canine world should treat age with such contempt and lack of respect. Ageism according to the World Health Organization affects our health and longevity by as many as 7.5 years. It harms our financial well-being and takes a toll on emotional and mental health. The Crufts committee and Royal Kennel Club Board need a paradigm shift in the way its looks at age. It should not be a big challenge, just understanding, they must make major cultural transformations and recognise the potential and contributions of the overs 80s age group.

Let’s looks at some examples of judges over 80s not being invited. Breed specialist booked to judge the cancelled Crufts covid show, never re invited because of turning 80. Top all rounder offered which ever sex of favourite breed he wanted as this would be the last Crufts engagement because of reaching 80. Four years on still in high demand around the country and more importantly very much respected. Another all rounder with fifty five years experience and over 30 breeds under the belt plus groups and best in show, now having passed the dreaded 80 mark, knows the post with an invitation to judge a first ever Crufts group will never fall on the mat. The life time dog person that awards C.Cs in seven breeds and draws record entries denied judging at only Crufts because of age. It’s a scandal to the R.K.C membership, and the consequences affect the breeds and exhibitors of today and tomorrow.

Does the R.K.C act within the Equality Act 2010 on other matters? Since founded in April 1873 they have reformed at what could be called slower than snail pace. The Representation of People Act 1918 allowed women over the age of 30 who met a property qualification the vote. This was followed by the Equal Franchise Act 1928 giving women over 21 the same voting rights as men. It took fifty two years longer for women to become members in 1980 with voting rights of the Kennel Club.

Today the R.K.C have approximately 200 more female members than male, the seventeen committees are made up from 51 female members to 121 male. In the forty-three years since women were allowed to become members approximately 30 have been elected onto the board the first being Gwen Broadly, Miss Hartley, and Anne Argyle. To date the R.K.C board have never had a female chairperson and the present board of 24 consists of just six ladies, hardly equal representation.

The Equality Act 2010 protects people from discrimination on a number of topics including race- which includes ethnic or national origins, colour or nationality. At some point should snail pace catch up with modern times the board should ask why its total membership only consists of at this time I believe, three persons from ethnic origin other than white.

So where does this leave the fight against ageism. The Crufts committee and R.K.C Board should first ask what sort of numbers of over 80 would judge at any one event, One, Two, Three, maybe None. So what is the big deal after all if the committee did its work correctly they could easy find details of a person’s fitness.

In 2024 it is not acceptable to treat a loyal band of long term respected elder statesmen, women or different origins differently. and is something the Royal Kennel Club Board and the total membership should be ashamed of.

For me YELLOW CARD or not, there can be no turning back from this issue. Do I have to stand outside the N.E.C with a banner denouncing the R.K.C ageism policy ? Climb into the best in show with a band of over 80s sympathizers sailing around the big ring on skate boards flying the flag, “equality for all”?

Does the time have to come when this moves from canine press to national papers, breakfast T.V?

Mistakes are lessons of wisdom, become the architect of the future for that is in your hands.

Peter Clifton.